Sprocket-chain structure



Aug. 10, 1926.

' UNITED srarss earner OFFICE."

CHARLES E. STAHL, or Nnwron, rows, 'rissrciion Tori-in PARSONS COMPANY, or

nnwron, Iowa.

sPnocKn'r-crmin srnno'runn.

Application filed January 14, 1924. Serial No. 685,964.

The object of my invention is to provide a sprocket chain structure of simple, durable and inexpensive construction. 1

More particularly, it is my object to providea sprocket chain structure in which each link forms a single complete unit like every other link, whereby cost and complexity of manufacture is reduced to a minimum.

An additional object is to provide such a chain structure having novel means for connecting together the successive links in such manner that there will be no play between the links likely to cause such wear as will further increase such play.

Still another object is to provide such a chain structure so made as to insure long life.

Another purpose is to provide in such a structure link connections with practically no lateral projections.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my sprocket chain structure, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of two links of a chain structure embodying my invention.

Figure 2 shows a top or plan view of the same.

Figure 3 shows a side elevation of one link.

Figure t shows a front elevation of the pintle pin used with my chain structure; and

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the pintle pin taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

My improved standard link consists of a journal portion at one end indicated in the drawings herewith by the reference characp ter 10 from which project the slightly diverging arms 11, having at their free ends the registering key-hole slots 12.

The key-hole slot has at its end adjacent to the journal 10 the portion 12 substantially cylindrical in outline, except where it communicates with the narrow portion 12 of the slot. The upper and lower walls of the portion 12 converge slightly toward each other," as shown in Figure 3, so that such narrow portion 12 is slightly tapering.

The arms 11 are provided midway between their ends with registering openings 13 for receiving pintles or the like on excavating buckets.

The arms 11 of each link are spread apart just far enough to snugly receive between them the ournal portion 10 of the next link. The successive links are connected together by pins 14, which are in general; cylindrical in form, having near their ends upper and lower slots 15 and 16. V

The bottoms of said slots, as at 15 and 16, illustrated in Figure 5, are slightly inclined from the parallel to fit the portion 12 of the key-hole slots and to engage snugly therein before the pin reaches the extreme ends of the portions 12 so that when the slots 15 and 16 receive the opposite walls of the key-hole slot portion 19), the pin will tend to wedge into place, and in case of wear can be drawn more tightly into wedged position by the tightening of the chain.

This is. a matter of importance, which will be referred to a little later herein.

5 In assembling the links in the chains, the portion 10 of one link is placed between the arms 11 of another link, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

The pin 14 is inserted through the portions 12 of the key-hole slots and through the opening 10* in the journal 10 and the links are pulled away from each other until the substantially flat bottoms of the slots 15 and 16 slide into the portions 12 of the key-hole slots and wedge against the walls thereof.

Each link forms a complete unit in itself eXactly like every other link in the chain, which reduces the cost of manufacture and the cost of keeping repairs in stock. The sprocket tooth engages the journal ortion 10 and operates upon the link of which that portion is a part and drops on the next link with a minimum tendency to shear.

I will now refer to the advantages in the peculiar shape of the portion 12 of the keyhole slot.

It is well-known that in large sprocket chains, the pin or other member which cons nects the links is liable to become worn or to wear the links, so as to leave substantial play in the chains.

Especially, there is a tendency to widen in the direction indicated by the arrows 17 in Figure 3. v

hen the link becomes worn in this manner, no chain tightener will be satisfactory in taking up the play. With the tapered portion 12 and the slots 15 and 16 with the peculiar shape, as illustrated in Figure 5, it will be seen that any Wear in the direction indicated by the arrows at 17 can be taken up by simply tightening the chain. Therefore, with my improved chain, there is less likely to be undesirable play after tl e chain has become orn.

It will be noted that the pins 1%- do not rotate in their slots but th s i lin turns on ts'e centrsl portion of each pin. 'jlhis-ceuses less ear than when the .121 row arms Wee-r on the pins.

in the journal portion 10. l ha ve provided a halt bushing 10" for the central portion of the pin Mto bear against. As a. loadon the chain causes a'tendency for the links to pull away froinezichother, the We will come on only one side of the opening 10 andv only that side requires a bushing as indicated in Figures 1 and -\ffhen, after long use the links are Worn at the pivots these bushings 10 or the pins 14 may be easily renewed;

The links are narrow and the pins have no projecting parts and the buckets therefore need not be built to cut beyond the links.

There are no cotter pins to shear.

It Will, of course, be noted that there are no projecting parts on the pintle or pin and no cotter pins or the like are used for holding them in place.

I claim as my invention:

in a chain structure of the class described. a link having a journal member at one" end and having extending therefrom slightly diverging arms provided at their A I farthest from the journal riieniber with he hole slots. th Walls of the narrow r portions of wnich are slightly diye'ig'ing' substantially as SllOWlLitllCl pins adapted to be i 51 said slots having near their ends I .no lower slots, the bottoms of which ied to the contour of '61- e ner'ro er 151 of the key-hole slots and to Wedge therein, spaced from the eXtreine ends of the s ots. in an assembled chain.

CHARLES E STAHLQ 

